Anchors hair co pioneered creating the first non-drying water based pomade, also called: ‘unorthodox’ water based pomade! O’Douds was the one that followed and started the real revolution. Anchors Teddy Boy Original (TBO) was handmade by hair stylist Benjamin Miller from Tennessee. This product is a medium-light. Cost: pricey but great quality as well. Also available: Teddy Boy matte (water base) and Teddy Boy slick (oil base).

For my demands, this pomade isn’t the right one. At the time I bought TBO, I didn’t know a thing about pomade. Reviewers then stated an alright hold, their hair looked great, washable with just water, … . So, I gave it a try but … . Thus, in my conclusion I will not describe TBO being a bad pomade! I tell you how TBO worked for me at that time, for my hair type.

TBO will work much better for thinner, not so curly/wavy/straight hair, a slick back, a side part, loose styles.

* Works alright for reviewer Michael Bateman from Spruce and Sharp (name review page and on youTube). The guy has real wavy, difficult to tame hair, he loves medium-lights and lights, they work for him.

Now, review time.

My hair profile

I’ve medium thick, wavy hair. I wear a side part with a contour. I used a wide tooth comb plus a brush with wild boar hair. At the time my hair was short (long enough to make a side part and small contour).

Presentation

The jars are amber plastic ones. Two sizes: 2.5 and 4.5 oz. TBO pomade has a whitish color.

Bay rum/mint scent. Not overwhelming, balanced. Some call this the smell of an old man. l notice whiffs throughout the day.

Application process – result

Be sure to have clean, dry hands before using the product (water base): mold can form. Remove hairs in the jar at the end of usage. Store it cool and dry. Zero pressure needed to scoop it out because of the creaminess. Apply on damp or dry hair. Breakdown: super easy. Goes in easy too. Gives a decent grip at the start. No tug and pull at all when combing. Goes in super smooth: slick styling. No greasiness. I used 3 decent scoops. Hair maintained shape after initial styling for a short time. Slicks the sides down great (lightness). Height: low (not made for height).

Shine

Semi-gloss shine. The shine stays the whole day.

Hold – endurance

Medium hold. For me: a medium-light/light hold. No hardening. Didn’t keep my hair in place: sagging, straying after a couple of hours, hair began to split. Feels very light, agreeable in the hair! For me TBO is just a bit stronger than Brylcreem. You can use extra scoops for more hold.

Restyling

No problem: does not harden. Loss of hold after recombing. I had to recomb many times: waves came through more and more, cowlicks too, sagging, messy, greasy hair.

Build up

If you don’t use water, you can leave it in and throw a few scoops in the day(s) after for a build up: clean it is.

Washing out

Rinses out with just water (water-soluble although it contains oils and waxes). No shampoo needed. Your hair feels very soft and conditioned: great!